Henry’s Books, a local bookstore founded by Elizabeth Mattson and her husband, Dylan, has, at long last, opened its doors to the public over the summer.
Named in honor of their firstborn son, Henry, the new bookstore has become a local hub for aspiring writers and literature enthusiasts alike.
“We were in dire need of a place for people to purchase books, and to have it be a small, independently owned bookstore is so [aligned] with what this community stands for,” said Joanna Mechaley, the Interim Executive Director for The Matthew’s Opera House and Arts Center.
After much anticipation from members of the community, the bookstore, located in the old Common Grounds building at 111 E. Hudson Street, opened its doors for the first time June 4 for a soft opening prior to the grand opening Sept. 19-21.
“It was wall-to-wall packed in here, and the line was out to the street,” Mattson said. “We stayed here for hours after we were supposed to close because people just wouldn’t leave. I think we sold half of the entire store in that first week. We couldn’t restock fast enough.”
Although the space is small, Mattson and her husband managed to transform the old building into a homey nook, with books lining the walls up to the ceiling and covering nearly every flat surface of the intricately furnished and decorated store.
“I feel like a good way to describe [the decor] is as a curated variety,” Mattson said. “Dylan and his brother worked hard to put in all the shelves and tables. Everything is handmade and great quality.”
Funded solely by donations and sponsorships from members of the community, the Mattsons keep the comfort and interests of the community as a whole in mind to create an enjoyable experience for anyone who walks through their doors.
“I really try to pick stuff that people will like and [cater] to a lot of different interests,” Mattson said. “So far it’s gone really well. All the problems I have in here are good problems. I can’t keep books on the shelves. It’s good to see that this community has so many voracious readers. It’s a reassuring sign that Spearfish needed a bookstore.”
In addition to personally selecting the books on the shelves, Mattson also leaves room for title suggestions and orders from her customers – an opportunity not commonly offered at corporate bookstores.
“Previously, I would [take] a trip to Rapid City, or, if I couldn’t find something, I would order off of
Amazon,” Mechaley said. “Now, if I have a title I want to read, I can order it directly through [Elizabeth], and then I feel really good about it because I’m supporting my community and I’m supporting a small, independent business.”
Henry’s Books not only sells a curated selection of literature, but it also hosts a number of events to get the community more engaged in reading and writing.
“We’re rolling out a lot of programming,” Mattson said. “We’ve had quite a few authors do signings, and people really like that. I’ve been doing that most Saturdays.”
The Mattsons are also celebrating Banned Books Week which takes place Sept. 22-28. The event is a celebration of reading. It also stands as a movement against the administrators who are banning certain works of literature from public schools and libraries.
“It’s a library’s duty to protect literature whether they agree with it or not,” Mattson said. “I feel the same thing in here. Whether I agree with or like a certain title in the bookstore doesn’t matter to me. If somebody else feels seen or represented by a book that’s [banned], I think that’s more of a reason to carry it [in the store]. If someone is banning a book, that means they’re trying to silence something that’s probably important to someone else.”
Through all of her events, Mattson hopes to use Henry’s Books to keep the community invested in literature, create avid readers, and leave a positive impact on the Spearfish community.
“On a personal level, I feel like my capacity for gratitude has really grown,” Mattson said. “It’s been a really beautiful experience creating something in the community that people want and are enjoying has been really special. I think that has been my favorite part.”
Although Henry’s Books is a recent addition to downtown Spearfish, the store is quickly becoming one of the many staples in the community.
“I think the Mattsons and Henry’s Books fall in line with what already exists in our downtown environment,” Mechaley said. “But, also, with the boldness of what they’re doing, they could absolutely become a pioneer in the sense of risk-taking. Finding something you love and presenting it to the community is really beautiful. It’s more than just a retail store.”
